The Lacs - Killer Country Hick-Hop

The LACS are not just taking the country scene by storm but also the mud world! We run into more people than we can shake a stick at who say they absolutely love The LACS and blast the hick-hop music while out muddin’. The band is definitely doing something right. Recently they made it to the top of the Billboard Top Country Album Chart with their new album Keep It Redneck, which debuted at No. 3. The boys didn’t stop there. They also hit No. 23 on Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart and No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Rap Album charts.

Clay “Uncle Snap” Sharpe and lead vocalist and guitarist Brian “Rooster” King have been hittin’ it hard and playing at over 150 venues a year. The LACS have racked up over 20 million YouTube views. When we’re hitting events we also can’t help notice that songs from the band’s first album, 190 Proof, are as popular as ever and blasted around the park. 190 Proof debuted on the Top 15 Billboard Country Album charts and is also still ranked on Billboard’s charts in the Top 100.

The boys from Baxley, Georgia, weren’t spoiled lucky silver spoon kids of famous actors and musicians. They paid their dues and worked hard to make their way to the top. Before The LACS had a record deal they were swinging hammers framing houses—they would also sit out in the Wal-Mart parking lot and sell their CDs. Now Wal-Mart is one of the biggest retailers carrying their product.

Recently we had the opportunity to ask Uncle Snap and Rooster a few questions. This is what the hard-workin’ boys from the south had to tell us.

Mud Life: Clay and Brian, when your fans bump into you should they call you out by Uncle Snap and Rooster?

Clay: I prefer Clay but will answer to Uncle Snap.

Brian: Don’t matter, I answer to both.

ML: This is very important to our readers: What kinds of trucks do you guys own or have owned in the past? What about ATVs and side-by-sides?

Clay: I drive a lifted F-250 Super Duty. ATVs, I’ve owned from a Honda to an Arctic Cat, and now I own a Can-Am.

Brian: Toyota Tacoma and a Honda Foreman 500.

ML: What’s your favorite type of off-roading and do you ever get out muddin’?

Clay: Of course I go out muddin’ and riding trails.

Brian: Ridin’ four-wheelers with a group of friends every chance I get.

ML: Guys, we love the music and the band name. Can you tell us what you guys were doing when you came up with Loud Ass Crackers? Any crazy names you came up with that didn’t make the cut?

Clay: L. A. C. were the middle initials of the original 3 members of the LACS. (Brian, Brandon & Clay) Brandon quit the band right before they signed with AJE. It had no meaning, but fans started posting what they thought it meant on MySpace and “loud ass crackers” was posted and it just fit. Everyone thought it was cool, so we kept it!”

ML: How did you guys get into music?

Clay: Sittin’ by a bonfire playing guitar and singing.

Brian: We both loved music and started hangin’ out, playing and singing.

ML: What type of music and which artists were your inspiration growing up?

Clay: I was inspired by all kinds of music, from Johnny Cash to Eminem.

Brian: Country, hip-hop, and rock! Country mostly though. Garth Brooks along with many more were inspirational.

ML: Given that your genre of music, hick-hop, is somewhat new and much different from traditional country, what was the audience’s response the first time you guys hit the stage?

Clay: They loved it because we don’t just play our music, we have something for everyone at our show.

Brian: We got some strange looks at first, but after a few songs the audience saw that we’re just some country boys doin’ what we love.

ML: Tell us what it felt like when you got your first big music break? What did your ma and pa say about it?

Clay: My parents have always supported us. It felt great too.

Brian: It was awesome! Nothing less than a dream come true. My folks were very proud. My dad actually helped write a few songs with us, so that was cool.

ML: You guys recently racked up an impressive position on the Billboard country charts at No. 3 with your new album Keep It Redneck. Did you ever think you would see your name at the top of the charts?

Clay: We always had high hopes, but seeing us up there with Luke Bryan, FGL, and others was great.

Brian: Nope! Our music is so different than anything on the Country Billboard. I give all credit to our kickass fans for their support and making that happen.

ML: Is there one particular LACS song that holds the most meaning to you guys?

Clay: “Red Diamond Man” because we wrote it about some family/friends.

Brian: “Tall Grass.” It was Daddy’s favorite. He passed away not too long ago.

ML: Can you tell us one thing each about yourselves that we might not know that you would really like the fans to know?

Clay: I love dogs, dislike cats.

Brian: Clay fell off his porch last week trying to kill a little grass snake. It was hilarious! Oh, and he has a terrible foot fetish.

ML: So the girls amongst our readership would like to know. Are you guys married, single, kids?

Clay: I have a girlfriend and twin 2-year-olds.

Brian: Going on nine years married to my best friend and we have two wild little boys, 6 and 9 years old.

ML: Do you guys still live in Baxley, Georgia, and if so is there one story each of you can tell us that makes living in the little South Georgia town great? If not, where do you call home now?

Clay: Still live in Baxley. Over half of the county is still dirt roads, and we have the best river.

Brian: Yes. Recently I went to my son’s elementary school for his ninth birthday party. When the principle found out I was there, she let each class come get pictures and autographs! I signed for three hours—it was awesome! Love my town.

ML: Baxley is a pretty small town to some folks. Can you tell us what life was like growing up in the beautiful tree-lined streets?

Clay: Everything was great living in Baxley. Things were close by, and we were close to the beach.

Brian: Real simple livin’. Spend most of our time at the river gettin’ into something.

ML: You guys are playing at a lot of mud events. When you are there, do you get out amongst the fun in the mud?

Clay: When we have the time, we love to get out in the mud with our fans.

Brian: I like to walk around and watch the fun. I won’t just jump in anybody’s truck. Not all rednecks can drive good.

ML: What is your favorite flavor moonshine and brand of beer?

Clay: Pineapple Moonshine and Bud Light.

Brian: Peach Moonshine and Bud Light.

ML: What are your favorite foods, and what’s home cookin’ like for you?

Clay: Favorite food, dill pickles. Home cookin’ is awesome when we are home, like cubed steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and butter beans.

Brian: Pork chops, rice and tomatoes, biscuits ... Oh, sweet tea!

ML: So your bio says you guys used to frame houses for a living. Do you guys still swing a hammer now and then?

Clay: Just some projects around the house.

Brian: Ain’t swung one in a while.

ML: What does the future hold for The LACS?

Clay: I hope we keep climbing the charts and continue doing music the fans love.

Brian: Lots of LAC boys’ music. And we’re going out on a tour next spring and summer with our label mates, Moonshine Bandits. We’re headed out to the West Coast, and then will circle back down south! We’re excited to be on the road with these guys.